The Causeway in Gloucester

Just a quick review, took the pups to the Causeway after a full day of sun and beach in Essex. We were literally sandy, hungry and one without shoes (youngest pup!). That being said, the food was terrific and reasonable and very laid back. I had the lobster casserole which came with baked potato and steamed carrots (literally only veggie I won't eat cooked!!) which was great, chock full of lobster. Pups had full meals, except youngest-steak tips, baked haddock and fried shrimp and all portions were huge. Saw many seafood plates coming out which looked great, batter is very light and oil was fresh. In addition to fresh fish they also had several pasta dishes which were huge. Definitely worth hitting for a unpretentious, inexpensive, good meal!!!

Went last week after the Cheap Eats review in Globe. Several people had recommmended it in the past, just never got up there. Glad I finally made it.

Decor-wise - It is an absolute dive; the a/c, such as it was, was on with the windows open, but our waiter said he wasn't allowed to open the door. The temperature was unbearable, but after some nice inexpensive wine from the liquor store next door (which seemed to have a much better selection than you would expect), we didn't notice.

Took a friend who was visiting from the midwest and whose stated dining purpose for the trip was to OD on lobster. It being her last night here, and after consuming many lobsters in many places for many prices, she ordered the lobster pie, which she declared to be excellent. Appeared to be at least one whole lobster, light on the crumbs and with extra melted butter on the side. Same sides - baked potato and carrots. She also had a "cup" of clam chowder. It came in a bigger bowl than most resto's bowl of chowder. It was a bit bland, but after adding salt and pepper, she was happy.

H & I each ordered linguine with clam sauce - one red, one white - came with tons of fresh chopped clams, but probably quahogs. Not a delicate dish by any means, but tasty, HUGE and a tremendous value - around $11 for a dish that could easily be shared by 3. Also ordered the appetizer fried calamari and agree with the Globe review - not quite crispy enough, but otherwise good and also HUGE portion. Relatively greaseless.

What caught my eye, and had previously been recommended by a friend, was the seafood marinara over pasta. It looked scrumptious and came in a pan about the size and shape of a medium paella pan. That's what I'm splitting with someone next time.

Also saw some meat dishes come out and there was veal or chicken (or both) parm on the menu, too.

Our waiter couldn't have been more pleasant or more accommodating and the rest of the staff seemed equally so. Will wait for a cooler night, but will defintely go back.

They do a decent chicken parm, perhaps not as good as our favourite, Mother Anna's in the N End, but good enough. Despite the significant Italian population in Gloucester, there aren't many Italian restaurants in the town. According to my hairdresser (who's part of the local Italian community) that's because they mostly eat at home.

haahaa...that's very true, we italian's don't tend to go out for italian food much.

The causeway is okay, their give huge portions for the what pay and Peter (the owner) is a great cook and stickler for fresh seafood. Everytime I go, one meal is enough for two people and it's always good.

Definately a place that is packed with locals and tourists alike...better off getting take out than waiting half the night for a table though...

Service is always a bit sirly, partlicularly at the bar. But they make an amazing fish sandwhich. It is $10-12 bucks, but HUGE and comes with the most amazing slaw. They do all of the standards pretty well. Stay away from anything that sounds too foofy on the menu. They can be hit or miss.

The Causeway tended to be where the locals ate, but I guess after the Globe review, and this being tourist season, the lines are now going to be twice as long! We've always enjoyed the broiled seafood and the pasta. Based on your rec, I'll have to order the lobster casserole next time.

I was just there this weekend, for the first time. Delicious meal, but what really excited me was the bowl of bagna cauda that came with our appetizers! Not on the menu: had I known I would have just ordered a huge bowl of it and a pile of bread and called it a night. Delicious!

Bagna Cauda is a warm dipping sauce for Italian bread ( or any other, I suppose).It's a combination of olive oil, melted butted, minced garlic and anchovies. Here's a recipe:http://www.italianmade.com/recipes/re...